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How to clip your cat’s claws

If your cat leads a sedentary life, you’ll need to trim her claws so they won’t crack or break and hurt her. To clip her claws safely, take the following precautions.

Buy the proper equipment

There are different kinds of nail clippers available, including scissors and trimmers. It’s up to you which you find most comfortable. The most important thing is to ensure that the clippers cut the tip of the nail with one cut. You’ll want to have cotton pads soaked in alcohol on hand in case you cut the claw too short and draw blood.

Wait for the right moment

There’s no point trying to cut your cat’s claws when she’s wide awake and playful. Better to wait for a quieter time when she’s asleep or relaxed after a petting session and is comfortable with you handling her. Remember that cats hate to be surprised and prefer slow, gentle movements. Try giving her paws a little massage before cutting her claws.

Adopt the right technique

Once your cat is accustomed to having her paws touched, gently squeeze one nail pad to extend the claw. When the claw is out, look for the pink part, called the “quick,” which contains nerves and blood vessels (so you don’t want to cut there!) The thicker part, more or less dark according to the colour of your cat’s coat is the tip of the claw. It's this part that you need to cut. Hold the clippers midway between the pink part and the tip of the claw at a roughly 45° angle and cut sharply. It will take you a little practice at first but you'll get better with time and practice.

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